ORGANIC AGRICUTURE IN CYPRUS 1732004 Cyprus Organic Producers

ORGANIC AGRICUTURE IN CYPRUS 17/3/2004 Cyprus Organic Producers Association Nicolas Kanaris

Historical Overview • 1987 -89 Yermasoyia Project, Limassol Ø Lack of agricultural experience Ø Lack of technical support Ø Lack of consumer

• 1989 -92 Dheneia Project, Nicosia Ø Integrated attempt (Plant and livestock production combined) Ø Wide range of seasonal vegetables Ø Goat and sheep raising Adversities Ø Scarcity of water Ø Lack of consumer interest

• 1993 - Organic viticulture in Ayios Ambrosios, Limassol. Ø First registration, official control and certification Ø Wine exports to Russia

• 1997 First Cypriot Control and Certification Body (Lacon Ltd) ØCooperation with corresponding body in Germany ØProduct certification, issuing of certificates enabling exports to EU

• 1997 - Pissouri Project (Table grapes for export) Ø Successful, still in business Ø Run by four producers Entire production exported to Germany

• 2000 The Bishopric of Morphou, Ecozoe Ø Large scale, professional Ø Model production unit Ø Ministry of Agriculture prepares legal framework on organic farming Ø Ministry of Agriculture promotes scheme of support measures 2004 Ecozoe planned export of 150 tons of potatoes to Germany

• December of 2001 Law 160 I on Organic Farming Ratified Ø Includes all enforcement regulations Ø Fully aligned with EU Regulation 2092 of 1991 Ø April 2002 Ministry of Agriculture announced scheme of support measures for organic farming · Surface-based subsidy granted to organic producers (150 -700 C. P. per hectare Ø Number of registered organic farmers · December 2001 = 15 · December 2002 = 50

Current state • Currently 180 entrepreneurs • Involved in production, processing, standardization and trading of organic produce in Cyprus • Specialized retail stores in every city

Crop production: Olives, table grapes, wine grapes, vegetables, citrus, aromatic plants, deciduous fruit trees, cereals, silage crops, legumes Processing: Olive presses, Wineries, Carob mills, Carob processing plants, Essential oil extraction units Standardization: Potato packing for export Trading: Importing and trading of organic products, Packing and exporting of organic products

Problems • Inadequate technical background among producers • Shortage of expertise among Agricultural Officers called upon to provide technical support. • Low level of infrastructure in the agricultural holdings • Shortage in import trading and overall trading of organic produce • Insufficient information of consumers on the nature of organic products

New Prospects • Production of high quality products • Production of out-of-season products • Increase of export-oriented production • Expansion of processing of local produce • Consolidation of consumer transition to organic products

Cyprus Organic Producers Association • Founded in 2001 • Counts 80 members • Important role in problem solving Exploitation of emerging prospects for the sector

Main areas of activity: • Technical support to all members and other interested parties. • Facilitating market identification for its members • Participation in exhibitions • Organization of updating seminars • Participation in the Council for Organic Products • Participation in EU Leonardo Da Vinci program

Support Measures – Rural Development Plan • Modernization of agricultural holdings • Reorganization and adaptation of agricultural holdings • Development and support of small scale processing units and marketing networks for agricultural produce • Formation of Producers Organizations • Vocational training and extension service to farmers • Development of organic crop production.

“Training Mediterranean farmers in organic crop agriculture” Organic. Med, CY/02/B/F/PR-133202 Funded by the European Union Programme Leonardo da Vinci • Project objective: provide support and guidance to organic crop farmers of the Mediterranean, through a work-linked vocational training programme focused directly to their needs and the Mediterranean particularities. • Project Result: a training package that will provide the farmers with the fundamental skills and competencies to implement good organic crop agriculture practices. For more information: www. organicmed. org